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Orioles M, Fabbri D, Miani G, Pesaro S, Dorigo L, Bregoli M, Saccà E, Tomè P, Beraldo P. Double trouble: Co-infection of Angiostrongylus vasorum and Dirofilaria immitis in golden jackal ( Canis aureus) in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 24:100969. [PMID: 39165606 PMCID: PMC11334653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
This study reports the first co-infection of Angiostrongylus vasorum and Dirofilaria immitis, two nematodes affecting canid cardiopulmonary systems, in golden jackals (Canis aureus) in Italy. Data on golden jackal carcasses, recovered in Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy) from 2020 to 2023, were recorded using InfoFaunaFVG wildlife monitoring network. Out of 60 necropsied golden jackals, 24 tested positive for either pathogen, with 3 animals displaying co-infection. Pathological findings included verminous pneumonia, abdominal and thoracic bleeding, and adult individuals in the heart and pulmonary arteries. The recent expansion of the golden jackal in northern Italy may favour the establishment and spread of these nematodes, posing challenges for disease containment and surveillance. Given the increasing prevalence of angiostrongylosis and cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in Europe, health monitoring of wild canids is essential to reduce their potential impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Orioles
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Daniele Fabbri
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Giovanna Miani
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Stefano Pesaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Luca Dorigo
- Museo Friulano di Storia Naturale, Via C.G. Sabbadini, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Bregoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Elena Saccà
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Paolo Tomè
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Paola Beraldo
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 33100, Udine, Italy
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Tsokana CN, Sioutas G, Symeonidou I, Papadopoulos E. Wildlife and parasitic infections: A One Health perspective in Greece. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 6:100184. [PMID: 39027086 PMCID: PMC11252608 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
While research on the parasitic fauna of wildlife in Greece is currently limited, conducted studies have provided valuable insights into the prevalence of parasitic infections in wild carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. This review consolidates the existing data on the endoparasites detected in wild animals in Greece, specifically focusing on those that pose established or potential zoonotic risks. Over the last 60 years, various parasite species such as Leishmania infantum, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis spp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Capillaria spp., Baylisascaris spp., Trichinella spp., Thelazia callipaeda, Dirofilaria immitis, Echinococcus granulosus, Mesocestoides sp., Taenia spp., Alaria alata, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum have been identified in wildlife in Greece. These findings have become increasingly relevant due to the growing interaction between humans and wild animals, which now extends to urban environments, as well as the increased contact between wild and domestic animals. This is further complicated by the geographical expansion of vector-borne diseases due to global warming and the increased movements of humans and animals. Surveillance and monitoring of parasitic infections in Greek wildlife is warranted, and it should be based on interdisciplinary investigations considering the interconnectedness of human, wild, and domestic animals, as well as environmental health, in line with the One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantina N. Tsokana
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Sioutas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Isaia Symeonidou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Tsakmakidis I, Lefkaditis M, Zaralis K, Arsenos G. Alternative hosts of Leishmania infantum: a neglected parasite in Europe. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:128. [PMID: 38630347 PMCID: PMC11189345 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-03978-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Multi-host pathogens that infect various animal species and humans are considered of great importance for public and animal health. Leishmania spp. parasites are a characteristic example of such pathogens. Although leishmaniosis in humans is endemic for about 100 countries around the world it is classified as a neglected tropical disease. There are three main forms of leishmaniosis in humans: cutaneous (CL), visceral (VL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniosis (MCL). Each year, about 30,000 new cases of VL and more than 1 million new cases of CL are recorded. In Europe L. infantum is the dominant species with dogs being reservoir hosts. Apart from dogs, infection has been recorded in various animals, which suggests that other species could play a role in the maintenance of the parasite in nature. Herein we provide an in-depth review of the literature with respect to studies that deal with Leishmania infantum infections in domestic and wild animal species in Europe. Given the fact that domesticated and wild animals could contribute to the incidences of leishmaniosis in humans, the aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review which could potentially be used for the development of measures when it comes to the control of the Leishmania infantum parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Tsakmakidis
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture, University of Western Macedonia, end of Kontopoulou str, Florina, 53100, Greece
| | | | - Konstantinos Zaralis
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture, University of Western Macedonia, end of Kontopoulou str, Florina, 53100, Greece.
| | - Georgios Arsenos
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Rojas A, Germitsch N, Oren S, Sazmand A, Deak G. Wildlife parasitology: sample collection and processing, diagnostic constraints, and methodological challenges in terrestrial carnivores. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:127. [PMID: 38481271 PMCID: PMC10938792 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06226-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Wild terrestrial carnivores play a crucial role as reservoir, maintenance, and spillover hosts for a wide parasite variety. They may harbor, shed, and transmit zoonotic parasites and parasites of veterinary importance for domestic hosts. Although wild carnivores are globally distributed and comprise many different species, some living in close proximity to human settlements, only a few studies have investigated parasites of wild terrestrial carnivores using non-specific techniques. Access to samples of wild carnivores may be challenging as some species are protected, and others are secretive, possibly explaining the data paucity. Considering the importance of wild carnivores' health and ecological role, combined with the lack of specific diagnostic methodologies, this review aims to offer an overview of the diagnostic methods for parasite investigation in wild terrestrial carnivores, providing the precise techniques for collection and analysis of fecal, blood, and tissue samples, the environmental impact on said samples, and the limitations researchers currently face in analyzing samples of wild terrestrial carnivores. In addition, this paper offers some crucial information on how different environmental factors affect parasite detection postmortem and how insects can be used to estimate the time of death with a specific highlight on insect larvae. The paper contains a literature review of available procedures and emphasizes the need for diagnostic method standardization in wild terrestrial carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica.
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica.
| | - Nina Germitsch
- Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 4P3, Canada.
| | - Stephanie Oren
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Alireza Sazmand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517658978, Iran.
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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Antolová D, Šnábel V, Jarošová J, Cavallero S, D’Amelio S, Syrota Y, Rosoľanka R, Avdičová M, Miterpáková M. Human alveolar echinococcosis in Slovakia: Epidemiology and genetic diversity of Echinococcus multilocularis, 2000-2023. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011876. [PMID: 38198452 PMCID: PMC10805277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a serious parasitic disease caused by larval stages of Echinococcus multilocularis. Between January 2000 and October 2023, 137 AE cases were confirmed in Slovakia. The average annual incidence increased from 0.031 per 100,000 inhabitants between 2000 and 2011, to an average of 0.187 since 2012, i.e. about six times. Among patients, 45.3% were men and 54.7% were women; the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 52.8 years. Most cases were diagnosed in the age groups 51-60 years and 61-70 years (33 cases each), and eight patients fell into the age category ≤ 20 years. To better recognize the gene diversity in clinical samples, metacestodes from 21 patients collected between 2013 and 2021 were subjected to DNA sequencing of four mitochondrial genes. Using concatenated sequences of cob (603 bp), nad2 (882 bp) and cox1 (789 bp) gene fragments, 14 isolates (66.7%) were assigned to the European E5 profile of E. multilocularis, two isolates (9.5%) to the E5a subtype, four isolates (19%) to the E4 profile, and one isolate (4.8%) to haplogroup E1/E2. The E5-type profiles and E4 profiles were distributed throughout the country, whereas the E1/E2 profile was found in the patient from western Slovakia. According to the data obtained and GenBank sequences, the E5-type dispersal is so far limited to central-eastern Europe and the variant seems to be indigenous to that region. The admixture with the haplotypes E4 and E1/E2 could have taken place from a historical endemic focus during the fox expansion in the last decades. By employing the nad1 fragment, a typical European haplotype was observed in all 21 resolved Slovak samples. The acceleration in the AE incidence in the last decade suggests the emergence of the disease and the need for further research on human and animal isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Antolová
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Viliam Šnábel
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Júlia Jarošová
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Serena Cavallero
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano D’Amelio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Yaroslav Syrota
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
- I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Róbert Rosoľanka
- Clinic of Infectology and Travel Medicine, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Mária Avdičová
- Regional Authority of Public Health Banská Bystrica, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Martina Miterpáková
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
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Dimzas D, Morelli S, Colombo M, Di Cesare A, Martinis D, Dourdas G, Diakou A. Unusual parasitoses in urban dogs: Urinary capillariosis and linguatulosis, cases report. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 47:100949. [PMID: 38199692 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by uncommonly diagnosed parasites may pose a threat to companion animals' health in urban environments where they are least expected. The pentastomid Linguatula serrata (tongue worm) and the capillarid Pearsonema plica (syn. Capillaria plica) are parasites with an indirect life cycle, infecting both domestic and wild carnivores. The present report describes two cases: the first one of urinary capillariosis and the other of linguatulosis, in two dogs living in the urban environment of Athens, Greece. In the case of capillariosis, the dog never lived out of the city, so it was presumably infected in the urban environment. On the contrary, in the case of linguatulosis, the dog was adopted at a young age from a rural environment but remained asymptomatic for several months while living in the city. Both dogs had mild symptoms, compatible with these infections. Urinary capillariosis and linguatulosis are uncommon in owned, pet dogs, living in cities due to epizootiological characteristics, i.e. need for wildlife reservoir for P. plica and consumption of raw infected viscera for L. serrata. Different factors contribute to the fact that such infections may occur in scenarios where they are least expected. Recent studies show a progressive worldwide increase in the number of uncommon parasitoses in pet animals, that in some cases, such as linguatulosis, are of zoonotic relevance. Regular parasitological examinations and preventive antiparasitic schemes are necessary in order to treat and prevent infections in pet animals and safeguard the health of both animals and humans under the concept of One Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Dimzas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | | | - Georgios Dourdas
- Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Agia Paraskevi, 15343 Attica, Greece.
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Marin AM, Popovici DC, Marucci G, Cherchi S, Mederle N. First Identification of Trichinella pseudospiralis in a Golden Jackal ( Canis aureus) in Romania. Pathogens 2023; 13:32. [PMID: 38251339 PMCID: PMC10818659 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Trichinella spp. are etiological zoonotic agents that spread throughout the world and affect mammals, birds, and reptiles. Within this genus, Trichinella pseudospiralis is the only recognized non-encapsulated species known to infect mammals and birds. This species has been reported in the majority of European countries, and the real epidemiological scenario of this species remains to be defined because its detection in mammals is much lower than that of the capsulated species. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscles of a jackal from the hunting fund of 36 Murfatlar, Constanta County, Romania. The muscle samples were examined by artificial digestion, and the larvae were identified at the species level by multiplex PCR. The presence of larvae belonging to T. pseudospiralis, a species more frequently reported in carnivorous birds, was observed. This study describes the first identification of T. pseudospiralis in a jackal. The results suggest that there is an urgent need to investigate which species of mammals and/or birds act as reservoirs for this zoonotic nematode in Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Maria Marin
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Michael I”, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (A.-M.M.); (N.M.)
| | | | - Gianluca Marucci
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Simona Cherchi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Narcisa Mederle
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Michael I”, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (A.-M.M.); (N.M.)
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Diakou A, Deak G, Veronesi F. Pets, Wildlife and Parasites. Pathogens 2023; 12:1310. [PMID: 38003775 PMCID: PMC10674324 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In our dynamic world, borders of different sorts are being rapidly altered or even erased [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Parasitology Laboratory of the University Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy;
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Taulescu MA, Negoescu A, Ungur A, Toma C, Ionică AM, Gal C, Sandu I, Buzdea A, Tutuneanu A, Turcitu M, Horvat IE, Deak G. Is the Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in domestic dogs underestimated or misdiagnosed? A comprehensive presentation of four lethal cases. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1146713. [PMID: 37275619 PMCID: PMC10232773 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1146713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Angiostrongylus vasorum (A. vasorum) is a widely distributed gastropod-borne nematode, causing severe cardio-pulmonary disorders in dogs. In Romania, A. vasorum was detected in foxes and serologically confirmed in domestic dogs, but no clinical cases are currently diagnosed. Methods Four dogs with clinical history of respiratory distress, originating from different geographical regions of Romania, were included in the study. One dog (case 1) was clinically evaluated using thoracic radiology and cardiac ultrasound; examination of feces and PCR were also performed for the etiologic diagnosis. The postmortem exam was performed in the other three cases, followed by parasitological and molecular analyses. Results In the first case, parasitic pneumonia was suspected based on the radiographic examination of the thorax and the infection with A. vasorum was confirmed by L1 morphological identification and PCR. The main postmortem changes included large, coalescing, dark red areas of pulmonary consolidation (n = 3) and numerous adult nematodes in the pulmonary arteries (n = 2). The histopathological examination of the lungs showed necrotizing and granulomatous pneumonia with severe hemorrhages and chronic pulmonary arterial changes. Intralesional nematodes were seen in all necropsied cases. Additional inflammatory changes related to A. vasorum infection were identified in the brain and tracheobronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes (n = 2). Identification of larvae, histopathology and PCR confirmed the infection with A. vasorum. Conclusions This study describes the first cases of canine cardiopulmonary angiostrongylosis in domestic dogs in Romania, and focuses on clinical presentation, pathological findings and molecular analysis. Angiostrongylosis should be included on the list of differential diagnoses of canine cardiopulmonary distress and/or haemorrhagic diathesis in Romania and awareness should be raised among clinicians to avoid post-mortem diagnosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Aurel Taulescu
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Synevovet, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andrada Negoescu
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Ungur
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Corina Toma
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Ioana Sandu
- Pet Stuff Veterinary Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | | | | | | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Mechouk N, Deak G, Ionică AM, Toma CG, Bouslama Z, Daniel Mihalca A. First report of Crenosoma vulpis in Africa and Eucoleus aerophilus in Algeria. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 20:187-191. [PMID: 36941973 PMCID: PMC10023903 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Crenosoma vulpis and Eucoleus aerophilus are widely distributed lungworms infecting carnivores, mainly red foxes, and are localized in the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. There are no reports from Africa regarding the presence of C. vulpis. The aim of the present study was to report a co-infection with C. vulpis and E. aerophilus in a red fox from Algeria. Materials and methods In January 2022, a road-killed male juvenile red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was collected from Bouhadjar-Tarf locality and was submitted for a complete parasitological necropsy. Detected nematodes were collected and preserved in ethanol for morphological and molecular identification. Tissue samples were also collected and analyzed by histopathological methods. Results Collected nematodes were identified as a male C. vulpis and several Eucoleus aerophilus. The histological techniques of the lung tissue did not reveal the presence of any larvae, or lung inflammation. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. vulpis infecting a carnivore in this continent, highlighting the importance of further studies to update the geographical distribution of C. vulpis. E. aerophilus was first reported in Algeria. Red foxes are important spreaders of parasitic diseases. Further studies are required for a better understanding of its epidemiology across North Africa and other areas overlapping the range of the red fox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noureddine Mechouk
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Laboratory of Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatics Systems (EcoSTAq), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University, BP 12, 23200, Annaba, Algeria
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Corresponding author.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology Unit (CDS 9), “Regele Mihai I Al României” Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 23 Iuliu Moldovan, 400348, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Corina Gina Toma
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Zihad Bouslama
- Laboratory of Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatics Systems (EcoSTAq), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University, BP 12, 23200, Annaba, Algeria
- National Environmental Research Center, Sidi Amar Campus, BP N° 2024, 23005, Annaba, Algeria
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
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